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SmartAVI SignagePro User Manual

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M U L T I M E D I A I N F O R M A T I O N N E T W O R K
User's Guide
SignagePro v4.0
Page 1 of 64

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  • Page 1 M U L T I M E D I A I N F O R M A T I O N N E T W O R K User’s Guide SignagePro v4.0 Page 1 of 64...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Contents of Box ................5 Limited Warranty Statement ............6 Getting Started ................7 Installing SignageServer .............. 8 Setting up the SignagePro Client ..........10 Configuring the SignagePro Client ..........11 Adding your company logo ............19 Updating the SignagePro Client ........... 24 Running SignageServer Software for the first time ......

  • Page 3: Introduction

    Because it uses a closed network, your information is safe and secure. SignagePro is capable of playing back all industry standards, such as Flash files, Video .MPG, HTML, QuickTime, Power Point, .JPG’s, Java Applets, and more.

  • Page 4: Disclaimer

    Disclaimer Notice The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Applica makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Applica will not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance or use of this material.

  • Page 5: Contents Of Box

    Contents of Box Description Part Number Installation Disk (figure a) Unique USB Key (figure b) *Power Supply (figure c) *SignagePro Client (figure d) Items with * are subject to change. figure a figure c figure b figure d Page 5 of 64...

  • Page 6: Limited Warranty Statement

    Limited Warranty Statement A. Extent of Limited Warranty 1. Applica, Inc. warrants to the end-user customers that the Applica product specified above will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the duration of 1 year, which duration begins on the date of purchase by the customer. Customer is responsible for maintaining proof of date of purchase.

  • Page 7: Getting Started

    1. Getting Started This quick setup guide will instruct you on how to install and setup the SignagePro software onto your Server (Host PC) and how to setup the SignagePro client. To ensure proper installation of the server software; • Please make sure you are running Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 or 3, Windows 2003 or Windows Vista.

  • Page 8: Installing Signageserver

    5. Before the installation completes, you will be asked to create a password for the Administrator account. You must sign in as the Administrator for the first time you load the SignagePro Manager. For more information on the User Manager, go to Section 2 of the manual.
  • Page 9 figure 2.1 figure 2.2 Page 9 of 64...

  • Page 10: Setting Up The Signagepro Client

    Attach the VGA cable from the monitor or display to the VGA port on back of the client. d. Connect the SignagePro client to a router using Cat5 cable. (If you will be using a wireless router, please refer to your router’s manual for additional information).
  • Page 11 ALT + CTRL + 7 Turns media on/off ALT + CTRL + 9 Shut down and turn off the SignagePro client. Table 4.1 7. Once you’ve logged in, use the keys described in table 4.1 to navigate the various menus and functions.
  • Page 12 4.8) c. Time and Date: Configure time and date as needed. Note: The time and date is synced to your SignagePro server automatically. You may need to adjust the time if your client is located in a different time zone than the server.
  • Page 13 4.7 figure 4.8 Once you have finished with your configuration click ‘OK’ to save your settings and connect to the SignagePro Server. Page 13 of 64...
  • Page 14 Once you are connected, open the SignageServer Station Manager. You will see both the Station Manager and the Client. (see figure 4.9) If you do not see both the Station Manager and the client, please refer to trouble shooting. (section 7) figure 4.9 Page 14 of 64...

  • Page 15: Adding Your Company Logo

    Combining your logo with informative content is one of the best ways to do this. Each logo on the SignagePro server consists of two files; an image file and a text file. The text file describes the placement of the logo and adds a time and date.
  • Page 16 Sample .slogo file without clock Sample .slogo file with clock picture = logoname.png picture = logoname.png origin = bottom left origin = bottom left offset_x = 10 offset_x = 10 offset_y = 10 offset_y = 10 text = %H:%M:%S text_x = 0 text_y = 37 text_face = Arial...
  • Page 17 text_size Font size text_color Font color in HTML format (example: #000000) text_slant Text slant (normal, italic) text_weight Text weight (bold, normal) Table 5.2 You have the option of adding time and date to your logo by adding one of the following fields to your .slogo file. (table 5.3) See example (table 5.1) Character Display Value...
  • Page 18 The month as a decimal number (range 01 to 12). The minute as a decimal number (range 00 to 59). A new line character. (SU) Modifier: use alternative format, see below. (SU) Either AM or PM according to the given time value, or the corresponding strings for the current locale.
  • Page 19 A literal % character. Table 5.3 To uninstall a logo, select the logo you wish to uninstall and select the ‘Uninstall’ button. Page 19 of 64...

  • Page 20: Updating The Signagepro Client

    Starting from version v0.7.5, you can now update the client directly from the SignagePro server. To update to the newest version of the SignagePro client, you will need to do the following; 1. Unpack the SignagePro update file onto your server.
  • Page 21 figure 6.1 figure 6.2 figure 6.3 Page 21 of 64...
  • Page 22 Section 2 Using the SignageServer Software Page 22 of 64...

  • Page 23: Running Signageserver Software For The First Time

    ‘OK’. (figure 7.1) 3. Once the SignageServer Station Manager is loaded. You will see the following; ● Connected SignagePro clients. ● Loopback IP. (127.0.0.1) ● Your user name and password. Click Save Password to stay logged in.
  • Page 24 • Station Manager: allowed to access and control the station manager. • Client: used for the SignagePro clients to connect to the signage server only. During the installation, you will be asked to create the administrator password.

  • Page 25: Task Manager

    Click 'Save'. You will then see the new user in the list. (figure 7.1.3) 8. Task Manager The main feature of SignagePro is the Task Manager. This is where you set up and manage all of your presentations. To open the Task Manager: •...
  • Page 26 figure 8.1 Once you are in the Task Manager you can begin setting up your presentations. Tasks: are individual presentations such as movies, PowerPoint presentations or Flash files; in order to run a Task it must be placed into a schedule. Schedules: are used to schedule a Task or a series of Tasks to run together at a specific time and day.
  • Page 27 Setting up Tasks: In the Task menu option, you can create, delete, and view the properties of all the applications you wish to run on SignagePr Page 27 of 64...
  • Page 28 Figure 8.2 To create a new task: 1. Select Task and select ‘New Task’. (figure 8.2) 2. Select the type of file you are going to use. (figure 8.3) You can select from a wide variety of file types such as Creeping lines (marquis text), Web Pages, PowerPoint, Video, PDF, Images and more) 3.
  • Page 29 a. The duration of the task (setting the duration to 0:0:0 will cause the program to run indefinitely. b. Operation on End of Task, • Here you can set what will happen upon completion of the Task if it is included in a schedule. •...

  • Page 30: Creating Schedules

    Creating Schedules A schedule is where you combine all of the different tasks that you’ve created in step 8 and put them into one place. From here you create the programming schedule. You can select a variety of task to run at specific times, run once, or loop continuously.
  • Page 31 9. Creating and working with schedules 1. In the Task Manager select ‘Schedule’ and click ‘New Schedule’. The Schedule Properties Dialog will appear. (figure 9.1) 2. In the ‘General’ tab give your schedule a name. (optional) 3. Begin populating the schedule with various tasks. These tasks can be videos, images, web pages, PowerPoint Presentations, etc.
  • Page 32 Once you have added your tasks to the schedule, you are ready to modify the tasks properties Modifying Tasks within the Schedule 4. While in the ‘Schedule Properties’ dialog, double-click the task you wish to modify from the ‘Scheduled Tasks’ section. This brings up the ‘Schedule Task Properties’...
  • Page 33 figure 9.3 figure 9.4 figure 9.5 5. Day and Time: Use the ‘Day and Time’ tab to control when and for how long the schedule will play. The Day and Time dialog controls the following; a. Schedule start type: This feature selects how the schedule will operate.
  • Page 34 figure 9.6 figure 9.7 9.1 Super Schedules Super Schedules were designed to allow multiple schedules to run in one, also allowing a drag and drop friendly user interface. To use the Super Schedule, open up the Task Manager and then click on 'Schedule' then select 'New Super Schedule'.

  • Page 35: Template Creator

    9.1.1 figure 9.1.2 10. Template Creator The Template creator is powerful feature of SignagePro. Templates allow users to create and assign regions. This gives you the ability to run several tasks simultaneously on one screen. The result is the integration of high-resolution graphics with dynamic video and scrolling text messages and news feeds.
  • Page 36 To create a template and assign tasks: 1. Use your mouse to highlight the schedule you wish to use for your template. 2. From the schedule menu select ‘properties” (figure 10.1) figure 10.1 3. Once the Template Creator window is open you can now create regions.
  • Page 37 figure 10.2 Page 37 of 64...
  • Page 38 figure 10.3 5. You may continue adding, deleting, resizing, and moving regions until you are satisfied with the results. (figure 10.4) Page 38 of 64...
  • Page 39 figure 10.4 Page 39 of 64...
  • Page 40 6. You can also assign a background image to your layout by clicking the ‘Properties’ icon and selecting an image from your hard drive. (figure 10.5) figure 10.5 Page 40 of 64...
  • Page 41 7. Once you are satisfied with your layout, save the template file on your computer hard drive. (figure 10.6) figure 10.6 Page 41 of 64...
  • Page 42 Now you are ready to assign views. This is where you select which task will be displayed into the different regions you’ve just created. 8. From the ‘Schedule Properties’ dialog double click on any of the tasks for this schedule. This will bring up the ‘Schedule Task Properties’...
  • Page 43 9. Select the view from the dropdown menu you where you would like the task displayed. Then click “ok” (figure 10.8) Figure 10.8 Page 43 of 64...
  • Page 44 A typical layout using Applica’s template creator Page 44 of 64...

  • Page 45: Creeping Line Editor

    11. Creeping Line Editor SignagePro’s Creeping Line Editor enables you to create a scrolling marquis anywhere on your screen. You can use RSS feeds, text from a file, or simply type text directly into the editor. 1. Opening the Creeping Line Editor.
  • Page 46 figure 11.2 b. In the ‘General’ tab Creeping Line Property Sheet you are given several options; c. Input text: Type your text directly into the editor. (figure 11.3) d. Use RSS: Input the URL of the RSS feed of your choice. (figure 11.4) Page 46 of 64...
  • Page 47 figure 11.3 figure 11.4 e. Control the speed of your scrolling text. (figure 11.5) f. Preview the text directly on your desktop. figure 11.5 3. Customizing fonts a. Select the ‘Font’ tab to adjust the size, style and color of your font.
  • Page 48 figure 11.6 4. Adjust window text and transparency. a. In the Text Window and Transparency dialog box you are given several adjustment options. (figure 11.7) • Background Color • Window Border: • Transparency • Transparent Color figure 11.7 Page 48 of 64...
  • Page 49 Below are some examples of different transparency settings (figure 11.8) example A example B example C example D figure 11.8 Page 49 of 64...
  • Page 50 5. Set the position of your creeping text. The Window Position dialog lets you decide where you would like the scrolling text to appear on your screen. You have the option of either docking your window to the top or bottom of your screen, or positioning it exactly where you want it.
  • Page 51 Name your file and save on your hard drive. figure 11.11 The new Creeping Line Manager allows SignagePro users to add multiple Creeping Lines in Tasks rather than in a Schedule. You can now add multi Creeping Lines into specific Tasks.
  • Page 52 12. Configuring the SignagePro Client Screen Resolutions If you want more resolutions you will need to configure the SignagePro Client. Configuring the SignagePro Client is easy to do and only take a few minutes. 1. Logging into the configuration console.
  • Page 53 figure 12.2 Page 53 of 64...
  • Page 54 ‘Enter’ to remove any fonts that are no longer being used. d. To reboot run: reboot Typing ‘reboot’ into the command line reboots the system and brings you back to the main SignagePro interface. figure 4.3 figure 4.4 Page 54 of 64...
  • Page 55 Configure keyboard Skip this setting. c. Configure monitor Each time you connect a new display to the SignagePro Client you will need to add or edit the monitor settings; • Select the horizontal sync range that corresponds to your monitor. (figure 4.4)
  • Page 56 Each time you connect a new display to the SignagePro Client you will need to add or edit the screen settings. • Select either ‘Edit Screen’, ‘Add new screen’, or ‘Remove screen’ from the Screen Configuration Menu. • Select ‘OK’ and hit ‘Enter’...
  • Page 57 ‘click’. b. Type ‘Exit’ in the command line and press “Enter’ to exit the test results page. c. Type ‘reboot’ in the command line to exit configuration and reboot the SignagePro client. Page 57 of 64...

  • Page 58: Specifications

    Specifications SignagePro Player Specifications Form Factor uATX (6.75 inches by 6.75 inches [171.45 millimeters by 171.45 millimeters]) Processor Integrated Intel® Celeron® processor 215 with a 533 MHz system bus Memory • One 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets •...

  • Page 59: Server Requirements

    • Length: 8" (20.32 cm) • Width: 8.375" (21.273 cm) • Height: 2.25" (5.715 cm) Formats Supported • Video (AVI, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, WMV, FLA, DIVX) • Flash (SWF) • Still Images (JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG) • WebPages (URL) • Adobe Acrobat (PDF) •...
  • Page 60 Sample Configurations Configuration #1 Router/Hub with DHCP 1. Connect the server and the SignagePro client to a router/hub with DHCP configured. 2. At the server's DOS prompt, enter 'ipconfig' to determine the IP number of the server. If the server got assigned an IP number correctly from the DHCP server, the result should look similar to the following;...
  • Page 61 Notice the letter 'C' on the lower corner of the picture. This means the SignagePro client is connected to the server. Page 61 of 64...
  • Page 62 Configuration #2 Hub without a DHCP server 3. Connect the SignagePro server and the SignagePro client to a hub usinf CAT-5 or CAT-6 cables. 4. Manually assign IP numbers to the server and the client, A sample might look like the following;...
  • Page 63 1. Manually assign IP numbers to SignagePro A sample might look like the following: Server IP number: 192.168.1.40 Server IP Mask: 255.255.255.0 Server IP Gateway: 192.168.1.35 SignagePro The command for the network configuration on the SignagePro is 'Ctrl Alt + 3'. Page 63 of 64...
  • Page 64 Router/Hub with DHCP ............... 59 Running SignageServer Software for the first time ......27 Sample Configurations ............59 Server Requirements ..............58 Setting up the SignagePro Client ..........10 Specifications ................57 Task Manager ................29 Template Creator ..............39 Updating the SignagePro client ...........

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